The daily herald. [volume] (Honolulu, Hawaiian Islands) 1886-1887, 1887-07-15
HONOLULU FIRE IMPAIRMENT.
Adjourned Meeting Of the Board Of Re
representatives..

Inc ADJOURNED meeting OF the fre [
Department from the previous Thurs {
day was held last night at the Bell
Tower. Called to order by Acting Chief
Wilson, eighteen delegates we're pres
ent at roll call A communication
from the Minister Of the Interior was
read and accepted.
His Excelency, Mr.. Thurston, after
acknowledging receipt Of letter ask
ing for Instructions, written by Mr..
Henry Smith, Secretary Of the Depart-
ment and Chairman of Election, cites
the law on the subject of an election
miscauying as the late one. He said:
"The object Of the law is to have an
election, and the time Of holding the
election not being the essence Of the
matter, | am of the opinion that the
regular time for holding the election
having elapsed without an election
having taken place, an election can
and should be ordered" But the law
was silent upon such a contingency, |
except as to filling vacancies, when the
Chief Engineer should act. AS this
case involved the election Of the Chief
HIMSELF also Of both Assistants, he was
Of opinion that the article did not APP
ply The Department being under the
general supervision of the Minister Of
the Interior, it was his duty to see that
it was properly organized; therefore in
the absence OF specie law he ordered
that a new election be held on the first
Monday in August.
Mr. Henry Smith, Chairman Of
Election, submitted in print an opinion
that it was not only highly expedient
but perfectly legal to hold new cleo
ton II the acting Chief Engineer de-
clined to order a new election, the
Board should do so, and this he recon-
mended as the only course to pursue.
Every member Of the Department had
the right Of voice in choosing executive
oiiicers-"a right which cannot be
delegated to the representatives OF the
Honolulu Fire Department
After the reading Of the Minister'S
letter Mr.. NJ ID. Monsauat spoke in
favor of its recommendation, as he
thought a speedy election was most
desirable. 1t would put an end to the
unpleasant, jar now existing between the
constituents OF the respective candi-
dates for chief and put the Fire De
paument once again, on sure and
clear foundation. He hoped there was
nothing personal meant in the display
OF partisanship, but still they should
= have another election at the earliest
date possible. Delegate Morgan thought
, Monday night not good lime We'd
nesday would be better,
MIR. Wilson stated that the depart
ment had no alternative. The inslruc-
tons from the Minister Of the Interior
t Stated Monday evening, the FIRST OF
August, and on that day the election
must be held. However, he did moi
= think, if the election on Monday night
: would prove much Of an inconvenience,
that the Minister Of the Interior would
refuse to grant the concession, allowing
the election to be held Wednesday.
An amendment, changing the cleo
ton day accordingly subject to the
, proper approval, was carried, same
Judge and Telers to be retained.
The acting Chief, taking the floor,
stated that it was not wholly on con-
stitutional points that he contested
, the last elections. He considered that
,, a great many supposed voters from the
Pacific Hose Company had no right to
, that privilege. He thereupon stated
several instances which he considered
violations of the election laws. He
!. closed his remarks saying, 81 am work
J, ing for the firemen, not for such sharp
J. practice"
/ Mr.. Wilson submitted legal opn-
ion from Mr. w. Austin Whiting, upon
Il the election and qualification Of mem
bers Of Pacific Hose Company, drawn
). up after examination of the laws of the
Department, Of the Kingdom, and Of
the company named. He found that
! candidates receiving less than three
: black balls against them in the com
I pany are members upon signing the
constitution and bylaws, and obtaining
certificate of membership from the
e secretary; and that notice Of special
i meeting must specify its objects, parti
4. cularly whether candidates are to be
s. proposed for election, to make election
at such meeting legal. After quoting
laws of the Department and of the
ST Kingdom, the opinion holds it abso
y. lutely necessary that member shall
= receive a certificate Of membership be
= fore he can legally vote, and that ne
roll of membership is correct legally IN
less made up ofcertihcate members only
Further "If candidates were proposed
IN and elected at a supposed special meet
r. ING of Hose Co. No. | without an